6 Tips to Stop Procrastination

Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin.
Victor Kiam

PROCRASTINATION – the action of postponing or delaying something.

It’s something we’ve all done at some point in our lives. That deadline’s coming and you know you SHOULD be working but your head just isn’t in it. You’re doing anything and everything to avoid it…social media, checking emails, watching random YouTube videos. Frivolously frittering away precious time and putting off those important tasks until last minute. The task or project is then attempted under stress and in blind panic.

Procrastination can have a negative affect on your life and well-being, the stress can cause issues with your immune system, insomnia, anxiety and stomach problems.

Procrastination is just a bad habit that can be broken, like biting your nails or smoking.

Here are my 6 tips to stop procrastination.

Break it down – break work down into smaller steps. Subconsciously we find the project too overwhelming, so breaking it down into bite sized goals can make it more manageable to tackle.

Specific deadlines – instead of just having the one looming deadline, create a timeline and give your bite sized goals, deadlines.

Eliminate distractions – Identify what stops you in your productivity tracks. Close down browsers, switch of phones or chat apps etc.

Tell someone – If you tell a friend, a family member or a colleague what your goals are and when your specific deadlines are they are bound to ask how you’re getting on with your project.

Stop over complicating – There is never a right time to start, so stop waiting for it. Stop striving for perfection, it doesn’t exist, its better to have something than nothing at all.

Get on with it – you can plan and think about it as much as you like but nothing will happen if you don’t take action. What are you waiting for? If it’s got to be done then you might as well get on with it!